MAZDA CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander

Does the MAZDA CX-9 Or Toyota Highlander Have All-Wheel Drive?

When you are search for the right trim level, you’ll be more confident when you test drive a Mazda CX-9. i-Activ AWD^® (All-Wheel Drive) with Off-road Traction Assist is standard in the Mazda CX-9. The system’s Off-road Traction Assist can free tires that are stuck in Mother Nature’s web.

All-Wheel Drive is only an available feature of the Toyota Highlander. What does that mean for you? An AWD system sends power to all four wheels. This distribution provides greater traction and a firmer grip of the road. If you’re traveling on slippery roads or uneven terrain, you’ll have greater stability with an AWD system.

The Highlander’s standard drivetrain is a FWD (Front-Wheel Drive) system. This only sends power to the front wheels. FWD is more suited to the highway than the diverse types of roads that AWD can handle.

If you enjoy conquering off the beaten paths of Texas, you’ll find AWD empowers more off-road romps than FWD.

Which SUV Has Better Infotainment?

When it’s time to crank up the volume, you’ll enjoy a more soothing groove in Mazda’s SUV. The Mazda CX-9 has a better premium sound system than the Toyota Highlander. Its available Bose^® sound system has:

• 12 speakers
• Centerpoint^® 2
• AudioPilot^® 2

Centerpoint^® 2 and AudioPilot^® 2 create an optimal surround sound throughout every corner of the cabin. While the Highlander does have an 11-speaker JBL system, it does not use the Bose^® technology to curate the audio levels that feel “just right.”

Mazda’s SUV offers an additional edge. The Mazda CX-9 can come with an available 3-year subscription to SiriusXM^® Traffic and Travel Link. This system provides updated information on:

• Traffic
• Weather
• Sports scores
• Fuel prices
• Nearby parking